Social change campaign takes place across Canada during first week of May
(North Bay, ON April 27, 2022) – The Canadian Mental Health Association, North Bay and District, together with community partners, have come together to plan a week of activities for the North Bay edition of CMHA Mental Health Week 2022.
Launched in 1951 by the Canadian Mental Health Association, Mental Health Week is an annual social change campaign, with communities, schools and workplaces rallying to celebrate, protect and promote mental health. This year’s events take place May 2-8 across the country.
Bridging off last year’s theme to #GetReal about labelling and expressing your feelings, the focus for 2022 is how to #GetReal about how to help others and the importance of empathy.
There’s little question this is an important time to encourage positive mental health and empathy. A recent survey found 37per cent of Canadians say their mental health has declined since the onset of the pandemic, and the impacts are even greater more among vulnerable groups.
Empathy might, in fact, be the silver lining of the pandemic. Whatever our circumstances, everyone has experienced pain, uncertainty, and loss over the past two years.
Among the highlights of North Bay and District Mental Health Week 2022:
MONDAY, MAY 2
- A kick-off event along the Lakeshore Drive overpass from 8:30 to 10 a.m.
- A national virtual panel – Exploring Empathy: A Canadian Conversation – featuring Sophie Grégoire Trudeau, #SickNotWeak founder Michael Landsberg, and clinical traumatologist Kayla Breelove Carter. (Reserve your spot on Zoom or watch live from the CMHA National Facebook page.)
THURSDAY, MAY 4
- A Wellness Open House at OUTLoud North Bay from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 4 to 7 p.m. where people can learn more about community mental health and related services.
FRIDAY, MAY 6
- A 2.5- or 5-kilometre “Move for Mental Health” walk and community barbecue at the waterfront, presented by CMHA North Bay and District and the Community Counselling Centre of Nipissing.
THROUGHOUT THE WEEK
- Online workshops and webinars and on-demand video presentations by participating organizations.
See the event calendar (attached or online here) for full details.
As well, HANDS the Family Help Network and the Near North District School Board are offering a 90-minute suicide awareness session on May 4 at 6 p.m. (Registration details here.)
Partners in North Bay and District Mental Health Week 2022 are:
- Canadian Mental Health Association, North Bay and District
- Community Counselling Centre of Nipissing
- HANDS the Family Help Network
- North Bay Parry Sound District Health Unit
- North Bay Regional Health Centre
- OUTLOUD North Bay
- True Self
Mental Health Week 2022 Calendar
